"Really?" exclaimed Mrs. Woodchuck, looking at the girl curiously.
"To be sure," he answered. "Otherwise she wouldn't see us dressed in such fancy clothes, nor would we be bigger than she is. The whole thing is unnatural, my dear, as you must admit."
"But we're not dreaming; are we, Daddy?" anxiously asked the boy with the hoop.
"Certainly not," Mister Woodchuck answered; "so this is a fine opportunity for you to study one of those human animals who have always been our worst enemies. You will notice they are very curiously made. Aside from their lack of hair in any place except the top of the head, their paws are formed in a strange manner. Those long slits in them make what are called fingers, and their claws are flat and dull—not at all sharp and strong like ours."
"YOU'RE A DISAGREEABLE CREATURE!"
"I think the beast is ugly," said Mrs. Woodchuck. "It would give me the shivers to touch its skinny flesh."
"I'm glad of that," said Twinkle, indignantly. "You wouldn't have all the shivers, I can tell you! And you're a disagreeable, ign'rant creature! If you had any manners at all, you'd treat strangers more politely."
"Just listen to the thing!" said Mrs. Woodchuck, in a horrified tone. "Isn't it wild, though!"
